Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-06-11
walk and standing by her side against the

walk and standing by her side against the
railing.
Some conversation followed, but it was
marked by effort, and there were pauses of a
length unusual where Miss Craydocke was.
For once in her life, at least, Miss Edith
knew what cowardice was, but she gathered
up her faculties and began the attack.
lis just three years ago since you handed
me that beautiful poem of yours"
Role confronted her in moment, shame
faced and apologize. He hoped that Miss
Edith would forgive the folly and presump-
ton of his conduct then. He had often been
deeply chagrined thinking of it, etc, etc.
Oh no. indeed, it was she that must ask
forgiveness. And then she made her speech
how she had often reproached herself for
her meanness, how she had-oh, so bitterly
regretted that she should have replied with
such rudeness to an honest offer of affection
For you did love me then, didn't your"
she said in tone of innocent curiosity.
"Iloved you madly p said Rolfe with fer
vor and emphasis.
"And now you look back upon that feeling
as folly, and deride it, How mems natures
change when they go out into the worldr'
Rolfe broke down. 'God help me-" he
groaned, II love you more madly than ever
Forgive my presumption, Miss Edith" he
hastily went on; ut shall not trouble you.
shall soon be away from here in the West,
and | shall never offend you more"
"You have not offended me, Captain
Rolfe," she saidin sweet, low voice.
Rolfe could not speak, for he could only
retain his composure by keeping silent. He
leaned against the railing and looked at the
ruddy windows in the buildings, and lis
tened to the merry din that fioated on the
evening air.
''Let me see the scar on your temple that
Lord Creighton made" said Miss Craydocke
abruptly.
He stopped over so that she might see it in
the light. She laid a gentle hand on his
shoulder, and yet he trembled under it,
looked at the scar with little compassionate
coo and kissed it. If the soft, dewy touch
had been a coal of fire he could not have
started more violently. He caught her up in
his arms. ooh, oh ~ she said, feeling de-
icious shudder at the awful situation, ''you
hurt men'
That utterance was not intended to convey
fact, but to produce an effect The effect
was instantaneous. Heimmediately released
her. and Stood before her abashed and full of
apologies
''There, that will do, said She smiling and
checking him with touch of her hand on
her arm. ''Now, tell me- how would your
wife have to live?'
Hope and rapture were in her words.
Honest John Rolfe told his tale in plain,
unvarnished way. He described the simple
style of living in the Western wilds, the So
cial customs and manners, concealing none
of the things that she would be likely to find
novel and trying, and concluded with fervent
assurances that it would be his constant and
highest object in life to make her happy.
Earnestness of feeling gave dignity and elo-
quence to his speech.
She listened with intentness, and when he
had finished she put her hand in his and
said SIMPLY: 81 will trust you. Take me
with you"
He raised her hand to his lips and then
impulsively caught her in his arms. She
meekly resigned herself for blissful mo-
ment. Then extricating herself, she said ::
"How shall we manage our departure?''
"Why, what do you meant Will | have
to carry you off by stealth ?" he said, indig-
nantly.
'You know my father will never consent
to my marriage with you," said she, with
some hauteur of manner. Could it be that
the imprisoned lover of three years back
had grown worldly since, and was thinking
of her dowry?
And then the pride of the man blazed up
What, come back to the house of his friend
and benefactor, and steal his daughter like a
thief! No; he would go to Mr.. Craydocke
and tell him that, in aspiring to his daugh-
ter's hand again, he had the assurance of her
love. If Mr.. Craydocke refused him then,
he would get her in spite of them all.
"You forget that l am not yet of age"
But argument availed nothing. Rolfe was
determined to have his own way, and Edith
loved and admired him for it. She was
crushed, but she liked it.
Edith was correct in her surmise as to the
result of Rolfe's action, for the next morn
ing, as soon as Rolfe had made his statement
of affairs to him, Mr.. Craydocke came storm
ing at her wrathfully, demanding to know
the meaning of the outrageous assertion that
that audacious' fellow had made. Lifting
her eyebrows and looking up IN great sur
prise, she said: "Why, father, what did he
say to your"
Mr.. Craydocke spluttered it out.
"Why, he must be crazy ~ she said, with
an air of great establishment
Crazy He's stark, staring mad But my
house is no place for lunatics. He must get
out of here
Then she began her caioleries. She pitied
the poor fellow. There was nothing danger
Gus about him, and it would be cruel to turn
him out of the house before all the guests.
He would leave in day or two anyhow, and
they need never see him again, &c. OF
course, she had her own way. But this was
..hEt-EyA KY